cwdonald
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Posts posted by cwdonald
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First of all Number 9 in Lambertville is closed. But there is a fantastic new restaurant in its place- Brian's. Its run by the chef who ran Rouget in Newtown. It is still BYO. You should consider it.
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I have no idea what the german fast food restaurant in KoP was. I do remember growing up in NY there was a chain called Zum Zum.
In reply to the original post, there used to be some good german restaurants in the northeast, where there was a german community. We are left with shells of what used to be with the Hop Angel replacing the old Blue Ox Brauhaus across from Riekers.
Also, having spent a good amount of time in Northern Germany, I really wish we had more of a represntation of the other styles of cooking other than the heavy wurst centered cooking from Bavaria.
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Have you had the beignets at Cajun Kate's? How do they compare to these?
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Ate there last week. Small plates menu, prix fixe required if seated, a la carte at the bar. I had sweetbreads with a tonnato sauce that were heavily breaded and lost the flavor of the sweetbreads, clams with orecchiette which were nice though they used small clams, which needed more cleaning. Duck dish was unremarkable, though well cooked. The dessert was a hot chocolate, (dark chocolate mousse with candied orange) served with home made grand marnier ice cream. Espresso was good, though they use illy rather than a local roaster.
For Holly Moore - they began the meal with a complimentary popover. Couldn't but help think of you...
Good restaurant, though I really do not like the space on Broad Street, and hope it makes it.
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Its also too bad there was no discussion of the gastropub as a type of restaurant that Philadelphia excels in.. everything from Monks, Royal Tavern, South Philly Taproom and Fork and+ Barrel.
The author did appear to have some Philadelphia roots since she reminisced about eating at Dalessandros so it wasn't a blatant Pats Genos Jimmys reference..
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Bobby Simone's took over Roosevelt Blue 52.
Honey is THE place to go. Excellent small plate and interesting menu.
The other great place is Slate Bleu in the Agriculture Center. French Bistor food. Excellent.
I would avoid: Paganinis, Knight House. Domani Star is a BYO italian place that is ok.
There is a small Thai Restaurant called Spice Thai next to the move theatre that is good and cheap.
There is a decent BBQ place called Smokin Lil's. Next door to it is a nice lunch sandwich shop called Lilly's Gourmet that is quite good.
For beer either Stefanies or the Mesquite Grill have a nice selection and the Mesquite Grill makes some nice wings.
The Vine and Fig Bistro is a nice place for breakfast or lunch. A bit out of downtown doylestown is Cross Keys Diner. Home style cooking. Down that way you have a nice bakery Crosskeys Bakeshop, and Altamantes, an italian deli with nice take out sandwiches.
For coffee you have three choices; starbucks, saxby and coffe and cream.
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I thought the password to get through the back door was Septa.. or at least some Monk told me that.
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There are two other Korean options to consider. One is a restaurant called August Moon in Norriston that is across the street from Tacquiera Michoacana. It has both a sushi bar and the tables where you can cook Korean BBQ. In Blue Bell in addition to Korea Garden, you have GAYA, a relatively new addition to the dining scene in the area. It has the bbq tables as well as good hot pots. http://www.gayarestaurant.com.
In addition to Blackfish in Conshohocken, which I second Philadinings recommendation, there is also the Fayette Grill. Food is a bit more traditional than Blackfish, but is very nice.http://www.fayettestreetgrille.com/ . Compare it to http://www.blackfish.com.
Blackfish is the closest to your hotel of all the restaurants, none of the ones mentioned are more than 20 minutes from the hotel.
Have a wonderful weekend, and enjoy greater Philadelphia.
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Blue Sage is great.. though its a bit of a trek from Willow Grove Exit .. Earth Bread and Brewery specializes in home made flatbreads .. ie pizzas. Stress local ingredients and organic produce. Their salads are nice, and their beers are quite good and they brew some nice session beers. They are also great at doing guest beers as well.
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Jeff I agree, Glenside is a wasteland. I am trying to think of interesting food that could be along the way, assuming for example you get off the PA Turnpike at Willow Grove. Yalda Grill would be an option, Afghani BYO with good food about 1/2 mile north on 611. Pho and Beyond is right in Willow Grove and does decent Vietnamese food. If you go to Fort Washington Exit of the Turnpike and into Ambler, its a littler further away and you have Brigids Steakhouse and From the Boot (BYO Italian). Brigids has a prix fix from 5-6 for pre theatre. In the immediate Glenside vicinity, Union Jack's for wings and beer, or Athena for mediocre greek food. The brew pub G. G. Brewers in glenside is small if not different.
Enjoy the show. Levon is a fantastic performer.
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Goodnoe's was closed in 2006, the old store knocked down, and a strip mall put up in its place. (Just what the world needs more of... ).
Recently, the family opened a dairy bar on sycamore street, and is also distributing the ice cream to other retail outlets. They claim to be using the same family recipe that was used at the old store. For more information try their web site. http://www.goodnoe.com.
Tanners is going strong. If you are willing to drive a wee bit you have other choices, both in Bucks and over in Mont. Co. Chubby's Dairy Barn on 611 in Plumstead is worth the drive. You might also check out Merry Mead and Freddy Hill in Lansdale, both of which are great.
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Surprised no one mentioned Good Dog
Well known for their Roquefort stuffed burger, served on a brioche roll with carmelized onions. I am also a fan of their grilled cheese with cheddar, swiss, bacon and apple.
From their website a representative list of beers on tap:
Southampton Double White $5
Smuttynose Star Island Single $5
Boulder Never Summer Winter Warmer $5
Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale $5
Philadelphia Brewing Co. Kenzinger $4
Flying Fish Grand Cru $5
Lagunitas IPA $5
Magic Hat #9 $5
Gritty McDuff's Pub Ale $5
Founder's Breakfast Stout $6
My other favorite is an older bar that really began the Belgian craze in Philadelphia.. Brigid's. They have a good representative list of Belgians including six trappists, (not as good as monks, but not bad by any means), a changing menu on the blackboard, at reasonable prices. Beerwise they have a "down draught" system, where they keep one beer served via gravity, (usually a Yards beer). Smallish bar in Fairmount (24th and Meridith)but great local feel to it. Worth a visit.
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Ants Pants Cafe, 22nd and South serves it. They claim to be the only place in greater Philadelphia that serves it ...
www.About-Australia-Shop.com sells it. Also, there is a new product that combines cream cheese and vegemite. Kraft also released a new version of vegemite in Oz this past year, and it was very successful. For more discussion of it, see WSJ
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There is also one on Street Road in Bensalem, just off of 95. May be a bit far for the Vespa Holly ... But at least the East coast can experience Cherry Limeade.
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I'm meeting cousins from North Jersey (who just called) in the Northeast for lunch today. They'd like to go to a diner.
Are there any good diners in the Northest? I gave up on the Country Club a few years ago, and the Mayfair's main attraction is its design, not its food.
A good Jewish deli could work, too. The Stein Boys Famous Deli on Krewstown is the only one I know.
The Dining Car on Frankford Ave just south of Academy is ok. Delis, you have Casino Deli at Welsh and the Blvd and Jack's Deli on Bustleton. Both are mediocre relative to what someone from North jersey is going to be used to.
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I wish LaBan had included breakfast in his review. The Philadelphia Four Season's serves one of the finest in the US. There are few greater dining experiences than a perfectly executed hotel breakfast.
Here, here. And I would love a review of "hotel brunches," as well. I want a comparison of the new Lacroix, with the new Swan brunch... and any other destination that deserves mention.
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A little more expensive, but usually worth it: Mercato, a cash only byob that takes pre-theatre reservations Sunday through Friday and primarily sushi restaurant Misso (see the menu at MenuPages).
One more place to consider would be Estia. They have a 30 dollar three course pre theatre special served between 5 and 7. Great greek food. Not sure if that is in your price range, but the fish here is superb.
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I am going there with 1 bottle - an aged burg of some sort. Coffee with dessert. Gonna be quirky with the fish but it's just me and the mrs ... so 1 bottle it is.
It's hard to match wines to Shola's food from the descriptions - but it's fun to brainstorm. Traditionally a good rule of thumb for his sequential courses has been (at least for me): dry riesling/crisp acidic white, fuller bodied white , lighter-older pinot/burg/sangiovese, younger of those varietals or more robust reds. I have found the heavier reds rarely to be good matches FWIW and in this case I suspect I am correct.
See you there perhaps!
Evan
Since its Philly beer week, what beers would you match with the menu?
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Matt Levin left the helm at Lacroix and 24 yr old Jason Cichonski is now in charge of the kitchen. He worked under Matt as sous chef.
It just so happens that we are slated to dine there next Saturday (for now) and was curious if anyone knows anything about this new chef and - perhaps - even been there since the changeover?
Thanks
We're going for brunch on Sunday to celebrate a birthday. I have a current copy of their menu and we did brunch during the Lacroix era. I'll report back (I don't do pix). Any idea where Matt Levin landed?
Jim
Why Matt Levin Left LaCroix- Inq Dec. 9
Says he will open his own place. When and where TBD.
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This is a fun place if you go with lots of people. I went to a DDC dinner last year that was held there and enjoyed it very much. My only complaint was that it was pretty tight seating..there might have been 50-60 people.
Actually, Jeff, it was 72 folks give or take a few. TIGHT quarters, true, but way fun too.
Wasn't the DDC dinner held at Joe's catering facility in Chinatown? Joe's new restaurant is in Old City.
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I could not resist trying Butcher and Singer, I have to admit I am not into the sophisticated continental cuisine promoted by its predecessor Striped Bass.
I took my wife and we paid $194 for two with tax and tip, the most expensive meal I have ever had. We had two of everything except dessert, of which we shared one (the Baked Alaska).
We started with asparagus and the Butcher Salad. Nothing special.
For entrees my wife got the Delmonico and I got Steak Diane. My wife's steak was excellent of course. And my Steak Diane was fine, but boring.
Each of us got a side dish (mushrooms and creamed spinach) and a cocktail (sidecars), which were very strong. Service was warm and eager-to-please.
The hostesses were busty and warm (what a surprise). The baked Alaska was too sweet, I remember Oceanaire's being better (more unique), and that is not a restaurant I care for (at least the Philadelphia iteration).
Don't get me wrong, there was nothing bad. But I think a dish like steak diane or the salads need a contemporary stamp, in the way the Barclay Prime puts its own stamp on what are really traditional steakhouse dishes.
I don't know what to say, I guess I really want to hear from industry mavens, will they revise their menu? Did I go too soon?
Disclaimer: I have not eaten at Butcher and Singer yet. One friend who has eaten at both Barclay prime, and Butcher and Singer described the difference as Prime emphasizes the cuts of meat they serve, and Butcher is the traditional steak house (ironic ... shouldnt the butcher specialize in meats.) If you think of the standard chain steak houess what stands out at Capital Grille, Mortons, Ruth Chris.. I dont dine at them enough to know whether they are known for their bordelaise, their creamed spinach, their wine list, or their pretentious waiters. But perhaps the steakhouse experience is more about ambience and less about execution of the dishes. My two cents worth.... that and four dollars will get you a bitter cup of coffee at Starbucks.
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I was there for a late lunch today, and the counter was crowded. They sold out of gumbo, red beans and rice, mac and cheese, and muffelletta. I had a half shrimp po'boy that was excellent, much better than their muffelletta, which doesn't have enough filling, enough garlic and has too many green olives in its salad.
The PR band wagon is continuing for this outpost of NOLA. Channel 10 is going to be shooting a spot on them at 10 am on Friday, if anyone wants to use up a few seconds of their 15 minutes of fame.
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Be sure to check out C'est What next time you are in Toronto. It is easy to get to on Front Street. They sell lots of great craft brews, may locals and some from afar. They have several casks on hand most of the time as well. It is my favourite beer destination in Toronto!!
I have heard great things about the beer scene in Philadelphia and would love to visit someday. The forum last year on Friday the Firkenteenth is what led me to discover C'est What.
Cheers
The Grey Lodge Pub in Philly also celebrates Friday the Firkenteenth. Then there's Philly Beer Week coming up. Yeah I love it here.
Anyone make it to the Lodge this month for the only Friday the Firkenteenth of 2008? I drove by but the parking situation made me do a double take, (already parking in the middle of the street and there was a queue out the door... ) .
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Devil's Den, on 8th & Ellsworth, has the best selection of German draft beer I've found since Ludwig's closed. The food there isn't particularly German, though, just decent upscale pub grub.
The only two that I am aware of are Austrian Village just outside the city in Rockledge, (just north of 5 points near where Blue Ox used to serve good German food).
The other is Otto's Brauhaus in Willow Grove, just up 611 from the Willow Grove exit on the turnpike. Food is good not great. They have a buffet on Sunday's that is an ok deal, (all you can eat for around 21 dollars, including schnitzel, hunter's strew, spaetzel, roast pork and prime rib.) The best thing about the restaurant is their biergarten which is a nice place to sit outdoors during the spring and summer. The bar is cigar friendly, (or at least will be until the law changes in Pennsylvania.) Their beer selection of german types is good not great. Usually two or three types of Paulaner, Hacher, Warsteiner, on tap. Sometimes you will find Jever there which is a great german pilsner (much dryer than the Czech Pilsner Urquell).
But overall there is a dearth of good german restaurants in the area. The legacy of the german people that have settled the Philadelphia area is reflected in bakeries and butchers like Rieker's on Oxford Avenue that remain in the Fox Chase section of Philadelphia
Stargazy?
in Pennsylvania: Dining
Posted
I was led to believe that there is little room in the shop, and that there are only a few tables to eat in, and they are really more of a take away restaurant. Is that correct?